August 2024 marks the official three-year anniversary of the Oak Bay Coolkit Program. Launched in September 2021 through a partnership between UBC’s Collaborative for Advanced Landscape Planning (CALP) and the District of Oak Bay, the program has engaged residents in meaningful climate action at the neighborhood level. Over three years, the program had the following achievements:

• Community Engagement and Capacity Building:
  • Trained over 60 climate champions from diverse backgrounds.
  • Formed 12 collective action groups, representing 20% of Oak Bay’s residential blocks.
  • Facilitated the planting of 183 Coolkit trees, including 66 iconic Garry Oaks, enhancing the community’s green infrastructure.
  • Hosted numerous workshops, monthly evening sessions, and climate walks to inspire local climate action plans, such as rain gardens, pollinator corridors, and tree-planting initiatives.

• Innovative Outreach:
  • Door-to-door campaigns and events like tree appreciation days expanded program reach, engaging 35 new households in Year 3.